Summary

Chapters 5 and 6 relate a variety of “primary source” documents similar to Jonathan’s journal in the first four chapters. The timeline jumps backward, so that the first letter from Jonathan’s fiancée, Mina Murray, to her childhood friend Lucy Westenra, dates from May 9. Mina writes to Lucy about her tiring job as an assistant schoolmistress. She keeps herself busy while Jonathan is away by practicing shorthand and stenography. She keeps a detailed record of her daily life in a journal as a memory exercise. She recently received a letter from Jonathan claiming he will be home in a week.

Lucy writes back, briefing Mina on a man she is in love with named Arthur Holmwood. She mentions a doctor, John Seward, whom she thinks would suit Mina if Mina were free. Seward runs a lunatic asylum. Lucy writes again on May 24, describing...